Research Methods

This was my Reserach Method Proposal which tested my way to demonstrate analytical, problem solving, and project management skills.

In Class vs Distance/Online Learning Student Satisfaction

Introduction:

During this very different and difficult time of COVID-19, we have distanced ourselves from the “outside world.”  We’re trying to understand and get a grasp on how our world is changing but adapting to the best of our abilities.  One of these important changes worth discussing and researching is the concept of distance learning.  For some time, we have been accustomed to being in class but with technology we have created new ways to learn plus obtain education from home.

Going through public school education from elementary until high school everything was done in class and in person.  It wasn’t until junior college I was aware of “hybrid” classes where work could be done from home while we had to report to class on certain days.  Then as I continued my education, finding online classes was easier for me as I had to work and be present for my family.  This made me think: Is this the new era/generation of learning?  Would this be the direction for which education evolves?  Would education no longer be an interchange with faculty, classmates, and guest lecturers?  Growing up I’ve been so used to going to school in class on the weekdays, so I believe that learning through a computer screen isn’t the same as obtaining information plus support in a classroom setting.  The social interactions we experience through our classmates is much more beneficial than the new online video class format. 

As a Human Service student, this topic is of interest because our university at NDNU is currently at a distance learning state/process.  I am curious to see how those already use to working and taking school online compared to people like myself who still work but also sign up for in person classes.  I know many factors can play in this such as the ease of accessibility to be online compared to commuting, work schedule, time, family, etc.  What I want to know is how satisfied are students with their learning environment.

Thus, my hypothesis and “Purpose of the Study” is that students who are in class learners will score higher on student satisfaction than students who are distance or online learners.  The dependent variable is satisfaction.  The independent variables are the students in class or online.  One group will be in class learners; the second group are distance or online learners.   

Null Hypothesis: There will be no distinctive correlation between student satisfaction between in class and online/distance learners.

Alternative Hypothesis: Online/distance learners will score higher on student satisfaction than students who are in class learners.

The Operational Definition:  The operational definition of the dependent variable (satisfaction) will be a score on a student satisfaction survey (to be determined).

Review of the Literature:

The measurement of student satisfaction is another way of understanding the success of learning (McFarland and Hamilton 2005; Parkhurst et al. 2008; Summers et al. 2005; York 2008). Measuring the satisfaction relies upon the dispute that when students report their satisfaction about their class, they are surveying the overall condition of their learning experience (Piccoli, Ahmad, and Ives 2001). A highly satisfied student can be a gauge of opportune and considerable interaction between other students and the instructor.  It may show that the teaching technique or system being implemented will reflect learning outcomes and student outlooks (Moore 2005). Also, student satisfaction can affect the student’s inspiration and feelings that can reflect how well students understand, learn, and grow in the course (McFarland and Hamilton 2005). The relation between student satisfaction and successful learning is disputable because students may declare higher satisfaction with the course if they find it enjoyable, relaxed, and/or less stressful which could correlate to a possibility of less procrastination, organization skills, and time management.  These can lead to successful learning, but even though someone can find the class “easy," there are still chances that they may not be satisfied with the class.  There is adequate reason to anticipate that student satisfaction can be higher in class courses where successful learning proceeds.

Methodology:

The research participants will be undergraduate students enrolled in business communications class at NDNU.  Since my major is in Human Services, I believe this is a great comparison to understand those students who I can relate with the satisfaction of learning online or at an in person class setting.  I will distribute 50 (25/25) surveys to test for student satisfaction by going to the class on site and the other half I will collect via Google Forms online with the help of professor to remind the students to submit them on the last week of class to be turned in mandatory for an amount of points towards their grade.  This is a cost-effective option for examining student satisfaction.  The survey will consists of 10 questions and should take less than 10 minutes. The first half of the student population of the research will be enrolled in the traditional face to face class and the distance learning or online education class will consist of the other group.  The scores will consist of a value from 1-5 for satisfaction with 5 (E) being the highest and 1 (A) being the lowest.

The class has the same instructor that offers the same course content, materials needed, exact assignments, and are allowed equal time to complete the work needed.  The only difference is requiring students to be in class compared to the online students who need to allocate their time to study, do work, and complete assignments.  The content of the online class would be recordings of lectures that the in class witnessed live to be recorded and discussions would be in a form of a blog or post for students to chat among each other about the classwork with access to contacting the professor via email or online group chat.  Online gives the freedom and organization of time, but all students are still held accountable and responsible to do the work.